Rise Up Sports Media continues to break barriers in female athletics with 3rd annual awards show

From hosting a few dozen people in 2021 to filling up a room in the Rupp Arena convention center, Rise Up Sports Media has come a long way in a short amount of time.

On Wednesday of last week during the Girls’ Sweet 16 state tournament, Rise Up hosted the third annual Rise Up Sports Media Awards, which highlights the impact (both on and off the court/field) of female high school athletics across the state of Kentucky.

Founder Tonia Witt presented several awards, including Player of the Year(s) and Humanitarian honors. Additionally, she handed out four scholarships to a handful of deserving athletes. Athletes who overcame injuries or personal struggles were also recognized. If you made an impact on your community, Witt found a way to make sure those good deeds didn’t go unnoticed.

“As long as I can remember I’ve had a love of sports. Growing up I can recall there not being many options for girls to play,” Witt wrote. “So I had to make my mark in a league of boys being the only girl at the time to play Little League baseball. As I grew older there were more opportunities for girls/females but still not the same advantages as boys/males in the same sports. Even today girls/female sports don’t hold the same weight.

“So, with the start of Rise Up Sports Media, I hope to give girls/females the spotlight they deserve.”

Three years in, and Rise Up is doing just that and then some. Nearly 50 awards were handed out by Witt throughout the ceremony last week. You can view all of them below.

2024 Rise Up Sports Media Awards

RISE UP Player of the Year Award

• Trinity Rowe – Pikeville (606)
• Sydney Martin – Pulaski County (606)
• Kenleigh Woods – Ashland (606)
• Dea Bradley – Hart County (270/364)
• Kennedy Lane – Daviess County (270/364)
• LaReesha Cawthorne – Franklin-Simpson (270/364)
• Maggie Simons – Nicholas County (859)
• Quinn Eubank – Ryle (859)
• Anna Drakeford – Mercer Countu (859)
• Ashlyn Miles – Bethlehem (502)
• Juliana Frazee – Franklin County (502)
• Abby Reitzel – Mercy (502)

RISE UP Title IX Award

• Bethlehem Athletic
• Alyx White – Media
• Kristie Combs – Perry County

Cassidy Rowe Courage Award

• Grace Bale – Taylor County
• Ava Lannum – McLean County
• Alana Smith – DuPont Manual
• Skylar Waller – Marshall County

Lea Wise Prewitt Humanitarian Award

• Kaylie Bowersock – Valley Elementary School
• Reaghan Oney – Montgomery County
• Chloe Hartlep – Frederick Douglass

RISE UP Know HER Name Playmaker Award

• Audrey Biggs – Boyd County
• Katie Eddington – Scott County
• Madison Jones

Heart & Hustle Award

• Jazzy Meade – Shelby Valley
• Savannah Triplett – Meade County
• Piper Scott – Portland Christian
• Jaidyn Gulley – Ashland Blazer

Impact Award

• Misty McAlarnis – Perry County Central
• Travis Smith – Owsley County
• Brenden Stowers – Simon Kenton
• Eric Pouncey Jr. – Scott High School
• Caryn Schoff-Kovatch – Assumption
• Joey Thacker – Franklin County
• Donnie Meador – Allen County-Scottsville
• Natalie Payne – Daviess County

RISE UP 6th Woman Award

• Kenzie Grubb – Owsley County
• Sophie Pridemore – Lexington Christian Academy
• Brooklyn Duckwyler – Ashland Blazer

Valerie Still STILL I RISE Award

• Hayden Barrier – Montgomery County
• Carlie Thurmond – Bethlehem
• Ella Sellars – Ashland Blazer
• Claire Johnson – McCracken County

RISE UP Scholarship

• Carolina Lucas – Breckenridge County ($400)
• Maleah Alexander – Cooper ($1000)
• Lily Roberts – Hancock County ($400)
• Kensey Clayton – Bethlehem ($400)